PFKP: A biomarker for prognosis, response to treatment and immune function of breast cancer

BackgroundPhosphofructokinase-platelet (PFKP) is a rate-limiting enzyme in glycolysis. PFKP is highly expressed across many cancer types including breast cancer.PurposeTo assess the extent to which PFKP can be a prognostic indicator in breast cancer and its ability to predict treatment response. To further understanding of the interaction between PFKP and key signaling pathways in cancer progression, the immune system, and epigenetics.MethodsUsing online platforms (Kaplan-Meier plotter, receiver operating characteristic curve plotter, cBioPortal, and Tumor-Immune System Interaction Database (TISIDB)), a bioinformatic analysis was conducted to establish the prognostic and predictive effects related to PFKP expression in breast cancer. A network analysis was performed using the Oncomine platform where signaling, epigenetic, and immune regulation pathways were investigated.ResultsPFKP had a poor prognostic effect in breast cancer, demonstrated at both the RNA and protein levels. This effect was prominent in advanced breast cancers. PFKP appeared to recruit hallmark cancer pathways early in the progression lifecycle, from ductal carcinoma in situ to advanced cancer. PFKP was a biomarker of resistance to chemotherapy in the short-term for luminal A breast cancer and triple-negative breast cancer, and of sensitivity to endocrine therapy over the long term for luminal B breast cancer. PFKP interacts with immune system components such tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, chemokines, and immunomodulators.ConclusionsPFKP is overexpressed in breast cancer and has a poor prognostic effect, particularly in aggressive subtypes and advanced disease. It plays a key role in hallmark cancer pathways and interacts with the immune system in ways that could be harnessed for future therapeutic development.